TWI716533B - Multi-mode illumination module and related method - Google Patents

Abstract

The illumination module for emitting light (5) can operate in at least two different modes, wherein in each of the modes, the emitted light (5) has a different light distribution. The module has a mode selector (10) for selecting the mode in which the module operates, and it has an optical arrangement. The arrangement includes - a microlens array (LL1) with a multitude of transmissive or reflective microlenses (2) which are regularly arranged at a lens pitch P (P1); - an illuminating unit for illuminating the microlens array (LL1). The illuminating unit includes a first array of light sources (S1) operable to emit light of a first wavelength L1 each and having an aperture each. The apertures are located in a common emission plane which is located at a distance D (D1) from the microlens array (LL1). In a first one of the modes, for the lens pitch P, the distance D and the wavelength L1 applies P² = 2．L1．D/N wherein N is an integer with N

Description

Multi-mode lighting module and related methods

The present invention relates to the field of optical components, especially to modules used to illuminate the scene and also relates to the generation of structured light and patterned lighting, and the present invention relates to corresponding equipment and methods.

Definition of terms

"Passive optical components": optical components that redirect light by refraction and/or diffraction and/or (internal and/or external) reflection, such as lenses, ridges, mirrors (flat or curved), or optics The optical system is a combination of such optical components that may also include mechanical elements such as aperture diaphragms, image screens, and holders.

"Light": Most commonly electromagnetic radiation; especially electromagnetic radiation in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The lighting module can be used to illuminate the scene, for example, in the case where the distance to the object present in the scene will be determined based on the light returned from the scene in response to the illumination. For some technologies that determine distance, structured light can be emitted from the lighting module.

For example, the light pattern generated by structured light in the scene makes it possible to distinguish objects based on their distance from the device emitting structured light. For example, game consoles may include structured light illumination A pattern projector on the scene, and the player appears in the pattern projector, and at the same time the illuminated scene is imaged and analyzed in order to achieve 3D mapping on the scene, which is also called depth-of-field light Carving projection (depth mapping).

Structured light is often also referred to as coded light or patterned light, so that these terms are used interchangeably in the present invention. The term "structured light" is mainly used when light is evaluated by triangulation technology ( triangulation technique) and determine the distance. On the other hand, the term "patterned light" is mainly used when the light is evaluated and the distance is determined by stereovision. The patterned light does not necessarily mean that a regular pattern is generated or projected. For example, the texture of the light generated or projected may include randomly arranged features or random features.

Some examples of related technologies are briefly discussed below.

For example, US 7,970,177 B2 describes a device for calculating distance based on the generation of structured light using diffractive optical elements.

US 2010/038986 A1 describes a pattern projector using diffractive optical elements.

US 2010/118123 A1 describes a device that includes a mapping object of a lighting assembly, which includes a single slide with a fixed dot pattern (single transparency). Wherein, the light source transilluminates the single slide with light radiation so as to project the pattern on the object.

US 2013/038941 A1 describes an optical device including a matrix of light sources, the matrix of light sources is arranged on a substrate with a predetermined and uniform spacing between the light sources. The micro lens array with the same uniform pitch is arranged next to the micro lens array in order to collimate the light emitted from the light sources and establish a beam homogenizer.

WO 2014/083485 A1 describes a laser device for projecting structured light on a field including several arrays of semiconductor lasers.

US 8320621 describes a projector used in a 3-D imaging device. The projector includes a light source composed of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser or a VCSEL array. The light from the VCSEL array is collimated by a plurality of lenses. A microlens array (one lens for each VCSEL) is used to focus and guide the light beam from the VCSEL array to the DOE, which forms the light beam into any of various light patterns. First, it will eventually enable 3-D imaging.

In such cases, it can be beneficial to produce two different light distributions, for example, when lighting a scene. For example, two different structured lights can then be emitted from the lighting module. Or, in another example, structured light and scattered light may be emitted from the lighting module alternately.

For example, in the first mode, the lighting module emits A light distribution, and in the second mode, the lighting module emits a second light distribution, and the second light distribution is different from the first light distribution. Also, for example, in the first mode, the distance to the object in the scene is determined based on the light having the first light distribution, and in the second mode, the distance to the object in the scene is determined based on the light having the second light distribution The distance of the object. Or, for another purpose, light is emitted in the second mode.

An example of the advantages of the present version is to provide a particularly versatile lighting module.

Another example of the advantages of the version of the present invention is to provide a lighting module that is particularly shallow in a direction parallel to the light emission direction.

Another example of the advantages of the version of the present invention is to provide a lighting module that only requires a small number of components.

Another example of the advantages of the version of the present invention is to provide a lighting module that can provide good contrast over a particularly large distance from the lighting module.

Another example of the advantages of the version of the present invention is to provide a lighting module that can produce particularly high-contrast patterns.

Another example of the advantages of the version of the present invention is to provide a lighting module operable to generate particularly high intensity light, especially when considering the intensity relative to the light originally generated in the lighting module.

Another example of the advantages of the version of the present invention is to provide a lighting module that can generate relatively simple light patterns.

Another example of the advantages of the version of the present invention is to provide a lighting module that can generate relatively complex light patterns.

Another example of the advantages of the version of the invention is to provide a lighting module that can be manufactured with relatively loose alignment tolerances.

Another example of the advantages of the version of the present invention is to provide a lighting module with good manufacturability.

Another example of the advantages of the version of the present invention is to provide a lighting module that can be manufactured with a relatively high yield.

Another example of the advantages of the version of the present invention is to provide a device for optically determining the distance, which is particularly multifunctional and/or is particularly shallow and/or displays or benefits from another of the above advantages. Multiple.

Another example of the advantages of the version of the present invention is to provide a device for optically determining distance, which can cope with a wide range of characteristics of objects and/or scenes.

Another example of the advantages of the version of the present invention is to provide a method of illuminating a scene, which is particularly versatile and/or displays or benefits from another or more of the above advantages.

Other purposes and various advantages are revealed from the following description and examples.

One or more of these objectives are at least partially achieved in some implementations of the equipment and/or methods described in the present invention.

The present invention has found that for certain options of the lens pitch P of the micro lens array (MLA) and the distance D from the MLA to the light source of the illumination MLA (we want to call it the "illumination unit"), the resulting structured light The contrast is particularly strong, and the choice also depends on the The wavelength of the light emitted by the bright unit. Therefore, in those specific situations, particularly high-contrast patterns can be projected on the scene.

The inventor’s findings in this case show some similarities to the optical effect ("Lau Effect") discovered by Ernst Lau in 1948. The Lau Effect was explained, for example, by J. Jahns and AWLohmann in "March 1979" OPTICS COMMUNICATIONS", Volume 28, number 3 in the paper titled "THE LAU EFFECT (A DIFFRACTION EXPERIMENT WITHIN COHERENT ILLUMINATION)", Lau’s original experimental setup includes an extended white light source that illuminates the first grating. There is another grating behind the first grating, which has the same slit separation as the first grating, and finally the condenser lens images the light leaving the second grating in the observation plane, Lau has been able to meet the following To observe the interference pattern in the case of the equation: z0=nd ² /2λ,(n=1,2,3,4,...), where z0 is the distance between two gratings, and d is the distance between the gratings The grating constant (slit pitch), and λ represents the wavelength emitted by the light source, that is, the wavelength of the light forming the observed interference pattern.

Although there are obvious differences from the present invention, understanding Lau Effect can help to understand the function of the lighting module and technology of the present invention to some extent.

But another well-known optical effect is the coherent optical effect, which is called the Talbot Effect (or "Talbot self-imaging), which was developed by Henry Fox Talbot discovered in 1836, and the Talbot Effect is also explained in the above-mentioned paper by J. Jahns and A.W. Lohmann. Although both Lau Effect and Talbot Effect can be considered to be related to the self-imaging of the grating, at least because Talbot specifies the use of monochromatic point light sources (rather than the extended white light source used by Lau), and because Lau combines one of the two grating The one is placed behind the other, and Talbot only uses a single grating, so they are different.

Talbot has discovered that behind a grating illuminated by a monochromatic light source, interference patterns are observed in parallel alignment with the grating and in a plane at a specific distance from the grating. Those specific distances behind the grating are 2d ² / λ and its integer multiples, where d represents the grating constant of the grating, and λ represents the wavelength of the monochromatic light source.

The inventor of the present case found that if the aperture of the light source of the lighting unit is in a common plane (we call it the emission plane), a particularly high contrast can be achieved.

The present invention has also determined that if the lighting unit is a periodic light source, a particularly high contrast can be achieved.

In addition, the inventor of the present invention noticed that some corrections can be applied to the lighting module, which may produce more than two different light distributions by the same lighting module. For example, these different light distributions may have Strongly different characteristics (for example, one of them can represent structured light and the other can represent scattered light), or where the light distribution is two different high-contrast structured light patterns.

The corresponding lighting module proposed by the inventor of the present case, for example, the lighting module for emitting light, can operate in at least two different modes. For example, it can operate in at least a first mode and a second mode. In each of these modes, for example, the emitted light may have a different light distribution, such as a different light intensity distribution, such as a different angular light intensity distribution. The module includes a mode selector for selecting which of the modes the module operates in, and includes-a microlens array including a plurality of transmissive or reflective microlenses, the microlenses having a lens pitch P To be arranged regularly;-the lighting unit used to illuminate the micro lens array.

For example, the lighting module may include the microlens array and the optical configuration of the lighting unit, the lighting unit including a first light source array (LSA), each operable to emit light of a first wavelength L1 and each having an aperture, the The aperture is located in a common emission plane, which is located at a distance D from the microlens array.

1。 In the first mode of these modes, for the lens pitch P, the relationship with the distance D and the wavelength L1 is P ² =2. L1. D/N where N is an integer, and N

1.

When the lighting module is operated in the first mode, the satisfaction of the special condition of connecting the lens pitch P, the distance D, and the wavelength L1 to each other can lead to a particularly high contrast of emitted light. The light emitted under this condition in the first mode can be structured light and provide patterned illumination, respectively.

8，特別是N

5，距離D係相對小的，使得照明模組及/或包含於其中的光學配置可為相當淺的。如同由本案發明人所進一步發現者，可達成的對比對於如此低的N來說很明顯是非常高的。在有些實驗中，在1至14之範圍中的N可提供良好的對比，特別是N=2。 For small N, for example, N

8, especially N

5. The distance D is relatively small, so that the lighting module and/or the optical configuration contained therein can be quite shallow. As further discovered by the inventor of this case, the achievable contrast is obviously very high for such a low N. In some experiments, N in the range of 1 to 14 can provide good contrast, especially N=2.

The lighting module can also be considered as a module for generating patterned lighting.

The lighting module can also be used to illuminate the scene, so it can be considered as a module for illuminating the scene.

In some embodiments, the lighting module has the ability to generate light with different light distributions, so that the module can also be considered to selectively generate light with different (at least two) light distributions in these situations. Module.

The device does not need to be separable from the light source. For example, for semiconductor lasers, the active area from which light is emitted establishes the aperture.

These apertures are mentioned mainly because with them, the position of light emission is defined, so they make it possible to define the distance D from the MLA.

In some embodiments, in the first mode, each of the light sources is configured to illuminate a respective sub-set of the plurality of microlenses, and each of the sub-sets includes a plurality of adjacent microlenses, so that The light of each particular light source passes through the microlenses in the individual subgroups Different microlenses in order to produce interference patterns.

In some embodiments, the mode selector is operable to repeatedly, for example, periodically switch the operation of the lighting module from the first mode to the second mode and back.

In some embodiments, the mode selector includes an actuator for changing the spatial relative orientation of the micro lens array with respect to the lighting unit. Therefore, in the first mode, the MLA and the lighting unit have a first (relative) orientation, whereby they have a different second (relative) orientation in the second mode.

In some embodiments, with an actuator, in the first mode and in the second mode, the lighting unit illuminates the MLA with light of wavelength L1. However, it is also possible that the lighting unit emits light of a different wavelength L2 in the second mode.

In some embodiments, with an actuator, the first light source array (LSA) includes a pitch Q1 (light source pitch Q1) (which is equal to the lens pitch P (P=Q1) of the micro lenses) to be regularly arranged Light source. It can also be assumed that in the first mode, the pitches P and Q1 are the distance of the microlens and the distance of the light source respectively located along the lines parallel to each other, which may correspond to the horizontal parallel alignment of LSA and MLA.

In some embodiments, the actuator includes a coil, such as a voice coil.

In some embodiments, the actuator includes a piezoelectric element.

With coils and piezoelectric elements, LSA can move relative to MLA.

In some embodiments, the actuator is an actuator for changing the distance D. Therefore, for example, in the second mode, the equation described above does not apply (ie, any integer N is not satisfied); or, it is satisfied by an integer N different from the first mode.

For example, when the equation described above is not applicable to the second mode, the contrast of the second light distribution may be lower than the contrast of the first light distribution. For example, while there may be a significant intensity peak in the emitted light in the first mode, there may be more scattered light distribution in the second mode.

For example, while changing the distance D, it can be assumed that in the first mode and in the second mode, the pitches P and Q1 are the distance of the microlens and the distance of the light source located along the lines parallel to each other, respectively. It can correspond to the horizontal parallel alignment of LSA and MLA.

In some embodiments, the actuator is an actuator for changing the rotational orientation of the first light source array about an axis perpendicular to the common emission plane of the microlens array.

In these cases, it can be assumed that while having different rotational orientations in the first mode and in the second mode, the above equation is applicable to both the first mode and the second mode in both the first mode and the second mode. . And still, while there may be a significant intensity peak in the emitted light in the first mode, there may be more scattered light distribution in the second mode. For example, the first light source array (LSA) may include light sources regularly arranged at a pitch Q1 (light source pitch Q1) (which is equal to the lens pitch P (P=Q1) of the micro lenses), and in the first mode , The distances P and Q1 are respectively located along lines parallel to each other (which can correspond to the difference between LSA and MLA In the second mode, the lines on which the microlens and the light source are located at intervals P and Q1 respectively form an angle of at least 5° along them. Or an angle of at least 10° (corresponding to the angular alignment of LSA and MLA). The contrast of the emitted light can be higher in the first mode than in the second mode. This is because the horizontal parallel alignment of MLA and LSA can provide particularly high contrast, while in angular orientation, lower can be achieved Because of the contrast.

In some embodiments, the lighting unit includes a second light source array that is operable to emit light each, and each has an aperture. Moreover, the mode selector includes a control unit for controlling the ratio of the light intensity emitted from the first light source array to the light intensity emitted from the second light source array.

In some embodiments with the second light source array, the control unit includes a switching unit for turning on the light sources of the second array in the second mode and turning off the light sources of the second array in the first mode. In addition, it is optionally provided that the switching unit is operated to turn on the light sources of the first array in the first mode and turn off the light sources of the first array in the second mode.

Therefore, in some embodiments, in the first mode, only the light from the first light source array is used to illuminate the MLA, and in the second mode, only the light from the second light source array is used to illuminate the MLA.

In some embodiments with a second light source array, the aperture of the light source of the second array may be located in the common emission surface (which may be the same as or different from-but optionally parallel to-the first light emitter array) The common emitting surface of the light emitter).

The first and second light source arrays can be distinguished, for example, in one or more of the wavelength of the emitted light and the spatial arrangement of individual light sources, such as in their respective light source spacing.

In some embodiments, the light sources of the second array can be operated to emit light of a second wavelength L2, wherein the second wavelength L2 is different from the first wavelength L1.

1。因此，在此情況中，用於發射光中特別強的對比之條件係滿足於第一模式中，但是不被滿足於第二模式中。 It can be assumed that the aperture of the light source of the second light source array is arranged in the same common emission surface as the aperture of the light source of the first light emitter array, that is, at a distance D from the microlens array. As another option, the equation P ² =2 can be assumed. L1. D/N does not apply to any integer N, and N

1. Therefore, in this case, the condition for particularly strong contrast in the emitted light is satisfied in the first mode, but not satisfied in the second mode.

In some embodiments with the second light source array, the light emitters of the first light source array are regularly arranged with a light source pitch Q1, where the option P=Q1 is applicable, and where the microlenses are arranged along it The axis system arranged at a pitch P is aligned with the axis along which the light sources of the first array are arranged at a pitch Q1, and the light emitters of the second array light sources are arranged irregularly; Or at least one of the following-is regularly arranged at a light source pitch Q2, where P≠Q2;-is regularly arranged at a light source pitch Q2 (which may be equal to or different from the pitch Q1), where the microlenses Is given along with the spacing P The axis of arrangement is aligned at an angle (such as at least 5° or at least 10°) in relation to the axis along which the light sources of the second array are arranged at a pitch Q2.

In some embodiments, the first and second light source arrays occupy the same space. For example, the first and second light source arrays are light source arrays superimposed on each other. In other words, the light emitters of the first light emitter array and the light emitters of the second light emitter array are scattered or staggered.

In other embodiments with a second light source array, the first light source array occupies a space separate from the space occupied by the second light source array. For example, the second light source array is arranged beside the first light source array (a certain distance; or adjacent to each other).

In the second mode, the contrast of the emitted light may be lower than in the first mode.

In some embodiments, the light distribution in the second mode is more diffuse than the light distribution in the first mode.

The emission plane of the first light source array, and if the second light source array is present, can be aligned parallel to the microlens array.

The wavelength L1 is the wavelength of the light emitted by the light source of the first array. If the light source is a laser, it is only the (middle) wavelength of the laser radiation emitted. If the light source emits a mixture of wavelengths, the wavelength L1 can in principle be any of the emitted wavelengths. But anyway, a particularly good contrast occurs for the wavelength L1 that satisfies the above equation, while other wavelengths superimpose the pattern produced by the wavelength L1-which usually results in a blurring of the pattern at the wavelength L1. Therefore, the wavelength L1 will typically be The peak wavelength of the wavelength spectrum of an individual light source.

The wavelength L1 may particularly be in the invisible light range, for example, in the infrared light range.

Typically, all microlenses of the plurality of microlenses are congeneric microlenses.

The lens pitch P may be equivalent to between 5 μm and 250 μm, for example, between 10 μm and 150 μm.

In some embodiments, all the light sources of the first light source array are homologous light sources.

In some embodiments, all the light sources of the second light source array are homologous light sources.

As mentioned above, the microlenses can be transmissive or reflective.

The transmissive microlens is transparent to at least part of the light emitted from the lighting unit; therefore, at least part of the light emitted from the lighting unit can pass through the microlenses. The transmissive microlens can be a diffractive and/or refractive microlens. For example, the transmissive microlens may be an athermalized microlens or other hybrid lenses.

The reflective micro-lenses reflect at least a part of the light emitted from the lighting unit. They can also be understood as structured (and thus non-planar) micro-mirrors, for example, curved micro-mirrors. If it is a reflective microlens, the microlens array (MLA) can therefore be considered a micromirror array. However, the microlens/micromirror is often not individually movable, and is typically at a fixed position relative to the other microlenses/micromirrors of the microlens array/micromirror array on. Each of the reflective microlenses can have a smooth and curved surface (like a refractive lens) and/or can be structured together with a diffractive structure (like a transparent diffractive lens).

In some embodiments, the microlenses are refractive microlenses.

In some embodiments, the microlenses are condensing lenses (condensing lenses), for example, convex lenses.

In other embodiments, the micro lenses are dispersive lenses, for example, concave lenses.

The lens aperture of the microlens can be circular, but it can also be (non-circular) elliptical. Moreover, polygonal lens apertures or other lens aperture forms are also possible, such as rectangular, especially square lens apertures, hexagonal lens apertures, or others. By choosing a suitable lens aperture shape, it is possible to optimize (maximize) the percentage of light transmitted and reflected by the MLA, and ultimately contribute to the emitted light generated.

In the first mode, the fact that the structured light source freely propagates from the interference pattern of the light from the different microlenses of the microlenses makes it possible that the contrast of the emitted light remains substantially maintained throughout the wide distance range from the MLA Constant, for example, in the entire far field, it is at least, for example, 5 cm or 10 cm to infinity. The lighting module described herein does not require a patterned slide to achieve patterned lighting. Moreover, imaging lenses (or even multi-lens imaging systems) may not be used.

The microlenses, that is, their shape, define the illumination The field of view of the module and/or optical configuration, that is, (mainly) the angular range of (structured) light emitted by the illumination module and/or optical configuration (assuming that it does not affect the light emitted from the optical configuration) Additional optical components for the path of light).

Therefore, for various applications, it is advantageous to assume that the microlenses are aspherical lenses. For example, the microlenses can be structured to produce a rectangular envelope for structured light. For example, the microlenses may have a focal length f1 along a first axis perpendicular to the optical axis of the microlens, which is smaller than the second axis along the optical axis perpendicular to the microlens and perpendicular to the first axis. The focal length of the axis is f2.

Typically, the MLA is a two-dimensional MLA, but in some embodiments, the MLA is a one-dimensional MLA. In the latter case, the micro lenses are arranged along a straight line; cylindrical lenses may be particularly suitable for this case.

In the case of a two-dimensional MLA, there may be two lens pitches, which may be different from each other, that is, two different directions each have a pitch. If it is a rectangular lens configuration, the two directions are perpendicular to each other, and for the hexagonal lens configuration, these directions enclose an angle of 60°. However, in some embodiments with two-dimensional MLA, the pitch of the two lenses is the same.

In some embodiments, the first light source array (LSA) includes light sources regularly arranged with a pitch Q1 (light source pitch Q1).

The light source spacing Q1 is typically between 5 μm and 250 μm, more particularly, between 10 μm and 150 μm.

In some embodiments, the second light source array includes light sources regularly arranged at a pitch Q2 (light source pitch Q2).

The light source pitch Q2 is typically between 5 μm and 250 μm, and more particularly, between 10 μm and 150 μm.

In some embodiments, LSA is a two-dimensional LSA, but in some embodiments, LSA is a one-dimensional LSA. In the latter case, the light sources are arranged along a straight line.

In some embodiments, the second light source array is a two-dimensional light source array, but in other embodiments, the second light source array is a one-dimensional light source array. In the latter case, the light sources are arranged along a straight line.

In some embodiments, the light sources of the LSA are arranged on a common plate-shaped substrate, wherein the emission direction (and thus the optical axis) of the light sources is perpendicular to the plate described by the substrate.

In some embodiments, the light sources of the second light source array are arranged on a common plate-shaped substrate, wherein the emission direction (and thus the optical axis) of the light sources is perpendicular to the plate described by the substrate.

Optionally, the light sources of the first array and the light sources of the second light source array are arranged on the same plate-shaped substrate.

In principle, the pitch Q1 (and optionally the pitch Q2 as well) can be selected regardless of the lens pitch P. However, the distance between P and Q1 (and Q2, respectively) is the distance between the microlens and the light source (which are located along lines parallel to each other), and the result is that if P=Q1 (P=Q2, respectively) applies , It can be achieved in the first mode (and in the second mode Medium, respectively) The emitted light has a particularly high contrast.

1，q

1)，並且沒有公因數。本案發明人決定在此情況中，照明圖案可被產生於第一模式中，其具有增加的複雜性，特別是，擴大且更複雜的單位單元(unit cell)(相對於P=Q1的情況)。 A good contrast can also be obtained in the case of pP=qQ1, where p and q are integers of at least 1 (p

1, q

1), and there is no common factor. The inventor of the present case decided that in this case, the lighting pattern can be generated in the first mode, which has increased complexity, in particular, an enlarged and more complex unit cell (compared to the case of P=Q1) .

8和q

8常常是有利的。 However, the relatively high values of p and q tend to result in a reduced contrast of structured light, making p

8 and q

8 is often advantageous.

This similarly applies to the second light source array and Q2.

In some embodiments, the microlenses of the MLA are arranged on a rectangular grid, or even on a square grid, but other forms are also possible, for example, a hexagonal periodic arrangement.

In some embodiments, the light sources of LSA are arranged on a rectangular grid, or even on a square grid, but other forms are also possible, for example, a hexagonal periodic arrangement. The same situation can be applied to the second light source array.

The inventor of the present case found that the settings of MLA and LSA can make it possible to achieve a particularly high contrast in the first mode. Both MLA and LSA have the same regular configuration of parallel alignment with each other. For example, for MLA and LSA In terms of providing rectangular configurations with the same aspect ratio, the corresponding sides of the MLA and LSA rectangles are aligned parallel to each other.

Similarly, the hexagonal (or other) morphology of the microlens array and the first light source array arranged in parallel tends to be in the first mode Provide increased contrast.

In particular, for the above-mentioned case of pP1=qQ1 (integers p and q have no common factor), a useful illumination pattern with large unit cells and large periodicity can be obtained. Similarly, the same situation applies when the lenses have two possibly different pitches (P1, P2) along different axes, and the light sources have two possibly different pitches (Q1, Q2) along different axes , At least if it is assumed that p1P1=q1Q1 and p2P2=q2Q2, the integers p1,q1 have no common factor and the integers p2,q2 have no common factor; and among them, as a further option, the lenses are aligned along their axis system with a spacing of P1 Parallel to the light sources along its axis with a pitch Q1, and wherein the lenses are aligned along its axis with a pitch P2 and parallel to the light sources along its axis with a pitch Q2.

The inventor of the present case decided that the periodicity (or periodicities) of MLA determines the position of the maximum potential (possible) light intensity of the emitted light in the first mode, and the periodicity (or periodicities) of LSA can be used To adjust the relative intensity at these locations where the potential (possible) maximum light intensity is the maximum in the emitted light.

In some embodiments, the lighting unit is operable to emit spatially incoherent light in the first mode. Alternatively, it is possible to assume that the lighting unit emits spatially coherent light in the first mode.

For example, the light sources of the first array may be light generators separated from each other (and, all together generate spatially incoherent light in the first mode)—for example, compared to providing only one light generator, such as one The laser is coupled with a grating, the laser illuminates the grating, and the light emitted through the slit of the grating constitutes the light sources (which causes the spatially coherent light to be emitted from the illumination unit).

The above can be similarly applied to the second light source array and the second mode.

In some embodiments, the lighting unit includes an array of VCSELs (ie, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers). VCSELs arrays make it possible to emit spatially incoherent light with very high intensity. In particular, it can be assumed that the lighting unit is an array of VCSELs and/or a first light source array.

Providing VCSELs as light sources makes it possible to design lighting modules that are very small in size in the vertical direction, that is, along the optical axis and along the emission direction. Moreover, it is easier to use VCSELs to achieve small light source spacing than to use edge-emitting lasers.

In some embodiments, the emission direction of the VCSELs of the VCSELs array is parallel to the optical axis of the MLA.

In some embodiments, the light emitted from the lighting unit in the first mode and/or in the second mode is time modulated light. For example, for some distance determination techniques, it may be useful to emit light from an illumination module that has an intensity that changes over time (for example, an intensity that changes periodically between zero and non-zero).

In some embodiments, there are no additional optical elements in the optical path between the lighting unit and the MLA, at least no optical power with optical power. element.

In some embodiments, the reference plane used to determine the distance D at the MLA is called the lens plane, where the lens plane includes the peripheral points of the microlenses. If all the peripheral points of the microlenses are on the same plane, the lens plane is defined as the plane of the peripheral points of the microlenses, which is the farthest from the lighting unit.

In fact, the distance D can be so much larger than the vertical extension (extension along the optical axis) of the microlenses, which is accurate enough to define the lens plane as the plane on which the microlenses are located.

The distance D can be determined in the direction perpendicular to the MLA-in particular it can also be the direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned emission plane, which can be the distance D used in the above equation and the aperture (emission plane) and MLA When the geometric distance between the same. In other words, when the optical path length of the light and the linear connection between the aperture and the MLA coincide. However, this is not necessarily the case. As will be explained further below, there will be embodiments that differ from the optical path length (which will be used as the distance D used in the above equation as the distance D used in the above equation).

In some embodiments, each light source is structured and configured to illuminate a subset of the plurality of microlenses, the subset including a plurality of adjacent microlenses. In this way, it can be ensured that a single source from the first light source causes light to propagate from several (different) light sources of the microlenses, so that the interference pattern evolves at least in the first mode. For example, each microlens can be used by the first light source array (and optionally, also by the second light source array) At least two of the light sources, or more precisely, at least ten light sources.

Moreover, it can be assumed that the subset of microlenses illuminated by the adjacent light sources of the light sources overlap, that is, the subset of microlenses illuminated by the first light source and the microlenses illuminated by the second light source adjacent to the first light source overlap. The subset of lenses collectively has at least one microlens. Such overlap on the MLA of the light emitted from the adjacent light source, especially when lasers such as VCSELs are used as the light source, can reduce or even eliminate the formation of speckle, for example, In the pattern produced by the light emitted in the first mode (and optionally also in the second mode).

In some embodiments, each of the light sources (at least in the first array) has an emission cone with an average aperture angle of at least 5°, or more precisely, at least 10° ("average" refers to the emission cone not rotating Ground symmetry).

It is also possible to generate more complex patterns of emitted light in the first mode and optionally also in the second mode, for example, by assuming that the illumination module (and/or optical configuration) includes additional optical components. Such an additional optical component may include, for example, at least one optical component, and the additional optical component may be, for example, an array of passive optical components, for example, an array of optical components.

The additional optical component may include, for example, a diffractive optical component. For example, the diffractive optical component can be structured and configured to generate at least two outgoing rays from each incoming light that leaves the microlens array.

In some embodiments, MLA is configured between LSA and the amount Between the outer optical components (in the light path).

The imaging module can also be regarded as a pattern projector or a structured light projector or an optical projection system or an optical device for projecting the light pattern in the field of view (or in the field).

A lighting module containing at least one (first) light source array has been described, but it is also possible to operate a lighting module containing only a single light source. For example, the lighting module may be a lighting module that can be operated in at least two different modes (for example, in each of the modes, the emitted light has a different light distribution) (for example, for Illumination module that emits light). Furthermore, the module includes:-a microlens array including a plurality of transmissive or reflective microlenses regularly arranged at a lens pitch P;-an illumination unit for illuminating the microlens array; and-for selecting the mold Set the mode selector in which of these modes to operate.

For example, the micro lens array and the lighting unit may be included in the optical configuration included in the lighting module.

Moreover, the lighting unit includes no more than one single light source for emitting light of the first wavelength L1, and has an aperture located at a distance D from the microlens array, wherein, in the first mode of the modes, P ² =2. L1. D/N

1。 And where N is an integer, and N

1.

MLA can be any MLA described in this manual, and its His MLAs can also be included.

It is possible to have an MLA illuminated only by this single light source.

The light source is characterized by having no more than a single aperture through which light is emitted.

The aperture can be located in the emission plane (distance D from the emission plane).

The light source can be structured and configured to illuminate the range of the microlenses.

The range can be a subset or can include all microlenses of the MLA.

In some embodiments, the light source is configured to illuminate an area including a plurality of microlenses adjacent to a plurality of microlenses, so that the light from the light sources passes through different microlenses of the microlenses to generate interference patterns.

The structured light can originate from the interference pattern.

In some embodiments, the light source is a laser.

In some embodiments, the light source is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser.

In some embodiments, the light source is an LED.

In some embodiments, the light source is a super-luminous light-emitting diode.

The above examples correspond to implementations in which the optical path length of the light path along which light travels from the aperture to the MLA is the same as the geometric distance from the aperture to the MLA. However, as already posted before, this is not necessarily the case. In some implementations, the geometric distance and The optical path length is different; and in general, the distance D to be used in the above equation is the optical path length.

For example, in some embodiments, some materials with a refractive index different from 1 may appear along the optical path. And/or, the light path along which light travels from the aperture to the MLA may be a folded light path.

Therefore, we disclose a lighting module (which can be, for example, a lighting module for emitting light) that can operate in at least two different modes. For example, in each of these modes, the emitted light has a different light distribution. The module includes:-a microlens array including a plurality of transmissive or reflective microlenses regularly arranged at a lens pitch P;-an illumination unit for illuminating the microlens array; and-for selecting the operation of the module Which of these modes is the mode selector.

For example, the microlens array and the lighting unit are included in the optical configuration included in the lighting module.

1。 The lighting unit includes one or more light sources operable to each emit light of the first wavelength L1 and each having an aperture, wherein for each light source of the one or more light sources, the light source emitted from the individual light source The optical path length of the light from the individual aperture to the microlens array is equal to the same distance D, where, in the first mode of the modes, P ² =2. L1. D/N and where N is an integer, and N

1.

In some embodiments, from each of the one or more light sources The light emitted by each light source travels from the individual aperture to the microlens array along a light path, wherein at least a part of the light path runs through a material having a refractive index different from 1. For example, the light can pass through a piece of material. In this way, the optical path length can be changed with respect to the geometric length of the path on which the light travels.

In some embodiments, the lighting unit includes at least one reflective element, and the light emitted from each of the one or more light sources travels along the light path from the individual aperture to the microlens array, and The light is reflected by the at least one reflective element at least once along the light path. For example, one or more mirrors may be included in the lighting unit, the one or more mirrors reflecting light propagating along the light path. In this way, it is possible, for example, to achieve a large optical path length even with a small geometric distance between the MLA and the light source aperture (therefore, the large distance D that can be inserted in the above equation).

Of course, the one or more light sources may include a light source array.

The various embodiments and features described above for the case where the optical path length and the geometric distance are the same are of course also applicable to the case where the two quantities are different from each other.

The present invention may include a device for optically determining the distance, the device including the lighting module as described herein.

In some embodiments, the device further includes an imaging sensor for detecting light reflected freely from the scene illuminated by the light emitted by the lighting module.

In some embodiments, the device is operable to at least Two different ways to determine the distance, for example, using at least two different technologies for determining the distance, wherein the technologies can be optical technologies. These technologies may include, for example, one or more of triangulation, pattern recognition, time-of-flight distance measurement, and stereo vision technology.

For example, the first technique for determining the distance is applied in the first mode to freely obtain data from the light reflected in the scene illuminated by the light emitted by the lighting module, and used to determine the distance The second (different) technique is applied in the second mode to freely obtain data from the light reflected in the scene illuminated by the light emitted by the lighting module. In both cases, the data can be obtained by the image sensor of the device. Or, in the first mode and/or the second mode, the data is obtained through another sensor of the device.

The present invention may include a method for illuminating a scene, the method comprising-illuminating the scene with light emitted by a lighting module operating in a first mode;-changing the operation of the lighting module from the first mode to The second mode is to subsequently illuminate the scene with the light emitted by the lighting module operating in the second mode.

The operation can be changed from one mode to another, for example, by the mode selector of the module, see above for details.

For example, in each of these modes, the emitted light may have a different light distribution.

In this method, the illumination module may include (for example, in an optical configuration):-a microlens array including a plurality of transmissive or reflective microlenses regularly arranged at a lens pitch P; and-for illuminating the A lighting unit of a microlens array, the lighting unit including a first array of light sources each having an aperture.

1。 In the first mode,-the apertures are located in a common emission plane, which is located at a distance D from the microlens array;-the light sources of the first light source array are operated as separate Emit the light of the first wavelength L1 and illuminate the micro lens array; and-For the lens pitch P, the distance D and the wavelength L1 apply P ² =2. L1. D/N where N is an integer, and N

1.

The lighting module may be the lighting module described in this patent application.

In some embodiments, the method includes repeatedly, for example, periodically, changing from one of the modes to another of the modes, for example, between the first mode and the second mode thereafter.

In some embodiments, changing the operation of the lighting module from the first mode to the second mode includes changing the relative orientation of the micro lens array with respect to the lighting unit in space.

In some embodiments, in addition, the lighting unit package It includes a second light source array each operable to emit light, wherein, in the second mode, the light sources of the second light source array are operated to illuminate the micro lens array.

In addition, the embodiment of the method can be deduced from the embodiment of the illumination module.

1‧‧‧Light source

2‧‧‧Micro lens

3‧‧‧Optical components

4‧‧‧稜鏡

5‧‧‧Light

8‧‧‧Pattern

10‧‧‧Mode selector

20‧‧‧Lighting Module

30‧‧‧Light Sensor

50‧‧‧controller

50a,50b‧‧‧object

200‧‧‧Equipment

LL1‧‧‧Micro lens array

Q1‧‧‧Pitch

D1‧‧‧Distance

L1‧‧‧Wavelength

P1‧‧‧Pitch

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in more detail by way of examples and included drawings. The figures are shown schematically: Figure 1 shows a side view of the lighting module; Figure 2 shows in the first operating mode , The pattern generated by the light emitted by the lighting module of Figure 1; Figure 2A is a strong systematic drawing of the intensity distribution along a line in the pattern of Figure 2; Figure 2B is similar to Figure 2 In the pattern of the pattern, but in the second mode of operation, a strong systematic drawing of the intensity distribution along a line; Fig. 3 is a graph showing the comparison among patterns obtained for different numbers of N1; Fig. 4 is based on The side view of the lighting module is drawn to scale; Fig. 5A is a side view of the lighting module including an actuator for changing the distance between MLA and LSA in the first mode; Fig. 5B is a drawing Shown in the second mode, the side of the lighting module in Figure 5A View; Figure 6A is shown in the first mode, including a top view of the lighting module used to (laterally) rotating the MLA relative to the LSA actuator; Figure 6B is shown in the second mode, the illumination of Figure 6A Top view of the module; Figure 7A shows a detailed top view of a lighting module including two light source arrays (where the light sources are configured differently), where the arrays are beside each other; Figure 7B shows a detailed view A top view of a lighting module comprising two light source arrays (where the light sources are configured differently), where the arrays overlap each other; FIG. 8A is a detailed drawing that contains two light source arrays (where the light sources emit light of different wavelengths) ), the top view of the lighting module, where the arrays are beside each other; Figure 8B is a detailed top view of the lighting module including two light source arrays (where the light sources emit light of different wavelengths), where, The arrays overlap each other; FIG. 9 shows a side view of a lighting module with two light source arrays and additional optical components; FIG. 10 shows a side view of a device for optically determining the distance.

These described embodiments are intended as examples or to clarify the invention and will not limit the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a lighting module used to emit light 5, while FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an optical configuration for generating light 5, and light 5 may be structured light.

The module (and the optical configuration) includes a microlens array LL1 (MLA LL1), which includes a plurality of microlenses 2 regularly arranged at a pitch P1. In the illustrated example, the microlens 2 is a congeneric microlens. The module also includes a lighting unit for illuminating the MLA LL1. The lighting unit includes a light source array S1 (LSA S1). The LSA S1 includes a plurality of light sources 1 regularly arranged with a spacing Q. In the illustrated example, the light source 1 is a source of the same source. The light emitted from the light source 1 can travel on the light path to the MLA LL1, which does not have any intermediate surface with optical power.

The module also includes a mode selector 10, by which the module can be selected to operate in more than two operating modes in which operating mode, wherein the intensity distribution of the emitted light 5 is different in different modes .

In the situation depicted in FIG. 1 and also in other figures, the microlens 2 is a transparent refractive semiconcave microlens. However, the micro lens 2 may alternatively be a concave micro lens or a convex micro lens or a semi-convex micro lens. Moreover, they may further alternatively be diffractive microlenses or diffractive-and-refractive microlenses, the latter being also called hybrid microlenses. In addition, the microlens 2 may also be a reflective microlens. In the latter case, the structured surfaces of the microlenses reflect light impinging on them. Shoot.

In the situation depicted in FIG. 1 and also in other figures, only a few microlenses 2 are depicted. However, in reality, more microlenses can be provided, and the same situation is also applicable to the relatively few drawn light sources.

The LSA S1 can be, for example, an array of VCSELs such that each of the light sources 1 is a VCSEL.

The light source 1 emits light of the wavelength L1 (not shown in the figure) into emission cones, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the cones may have a circular cross section, but do not necessarily have a circular cross section. The opening angle of the cone is typically between 2° and 120° or between 5° and 25°, for example about 10°. The emission cones are not without overlap, as can be seen from Figure 1. (dotted line). Typically, the emission cones of at least immediately adjacent light sources 1 overlap, and optionally, each microlens 2 is illuminated by at least 6 light sources 1.

The light source 1, for example, can emit infrared light.

Each light source 1 illuminates several of the microlenses 2. For example, a subset of at least two (eg, such as 4 or more) of at least 20 microlenses 2 is illuminated by each of the light sources 1.

In this way, the interference between the light emitted from the specific light source 1 but having passed through the different microlenses of the microlenses 2 will interfere and generate an interference pattern. In the same way, the light emitted from the other of the light sources 1 produces the same interference pattern, so that in the far field (for example, more than 2 cm or more than 5 cm after interacting with MLA LL1), all The interference patterns are superimposed. In this way, the emitted light 5 produces a high-intensity interference pattern, which can be used to illuminate the scene or be caught on the screen.

The manufacturing of such modules is simplified by the fact that to produce high-contrast lighting patterns does not require precise lateral alignment of MLA LL1 and LSA S1, xy tolerances (parallel to the MLA plane/transmission plane on the plane The offset) is very high; the tolerance of z (related to the distance between the MLA and the lighting unit) is not very sensitive; and the rotational alignment requirements are not very high.

The distance between the LSA S1 (and more specifically the individual light sources 1 and their respective apertures) and the MLA LL1 (and more specifically the microlens 2) is called D1 (at least in the first mode of operation).

Fig. 2 is a schematic drawing of a pattern 8 generated by the light 5 generated by the module of Fig. 1 in the first mode, for example, the pattern 8 is recorded in the far field, and the dark black dots indicate the position of high light intensity. The white area indicates the position of low light intensity.

The result is a specific choice for the pitch P1, the wavelength L1 and the distance D1. The contrast presented in this pattern is particularly high, while for other distances, the contrast presented in this pattern is particularly high. Only very low contrast appears in the resulting pattern.

Among them, the decisive quantities P1, L1, and D1 are interconnected in order to obtain a particularly sharp contrast in pattern 8. The formula for the trio of P1, L1 and D1 is as follows: (P1) ² = 2*(L1)*( D1)/(N1) where N1 represents an integer of at least 1. That is, for N=1 or 2 or 3 or 4, P1, L1, and D1 satisfying the trio of the above equation can be selected. Therefore, these parameters of the lighting module used for high-contrast pattern generation was decided.

In the first mode of operation, the module operates to satisfy the equation, thereby producing a high-contrast light distribution and a high-contrast light pattern.

In the second operating mode, another light distribution is generated, which may also satisfy the above equation or not.

For example, the emitted light 5 exhibits a higher contrast and/or less diffusion than the light distribution of the emitted light 5 in the second mode.

2A and 2B very schematically show the intensity distribution along each line, where the intensity is on the y-axis, and the spatial coordinates run along the x-axis.

FIG. 2A very schematically shows the intensity distribution along a straight line of the pattern shown in FIG. 2, and the straight line runs through the maximum intensity of the light pattern in FIG. 2. In this case, during the operation in the first mode, the above equation is satisfied, P1=Q1 applies, LSA S1 is aligned parallel to MLA LL1 (that is, the plane defined by MLA LL1 is aligned parallel to the plane defined by LSA The plane defined by S1), and LSA S1 and MLA LL1 are also horizontally aligned parallel to each other, that is, the pitches P1 and Q1 are respectively the distance between the microlens and the light source located along a straight line parallel to each other. The contrast of the resulting light pattern is high (significant maximum intensity on a low background).

In the second mode, the intensity distribution along a straight line with a pattern similar to that shown in FIG. 2 will look like that shown in FIG. 2B, Splitting the above equation and/or using a different configuration of light source 1 can lead to (significantly) poor contrast.

The following will further discuss some ways in which the lighting module can emit at least two different light distributions in the at least two modes.

FIG. 3 shows a graph showing the comparison of different numbers N1 in the pattern 8 from the emitted light 5, wherein, in the graph in FIG. 3, N1 is a continuous positive number assigned to the horizontal axis. Along the vertical axis, the indication represents the magnitude of the contrast achieved in pattern 8.

As is obvious from Figure 3 (see the small arrow), if N1 is an integer, a particularly high contrast will appear. N1=2 guarantees the highest contrast, and when N1 is either 3 or 4, it can also be obtained Very high contrast pattern. For the larger integer N1, a very high contrast can be obtained, which is clearly higher than the non-integer contrast in between. However, the lighting pattern can also be generated for non-integer factors that are not integer N, for example, for 0.5 or 1.5.

If P1 and L1 are given (fixed), then N1=1 results in a small value for D1, so that the optical configuration and therefore the lighting module can be very shallow, that is, small in the direction of light emission , See the equation above.

As can be inferred from the equation shown in FIG. 3 and above, the gradual change of the distance D1 starting from one of the peaks (having an integer N1 and satisfying the equation) will result in a gradually decreasing contrast in the emitted light distribution. Moreover, similarly, the gradual change of the wavelength L1 starting from one of the peaks (having an integer N1 and satisfying the equation) will lead to Causes a gradually decreasing contrast in the emitted light distribution.

FIG. 4 shows the lighting module to scale and its side view, and FIG. 4 shows, for example, for the case of P1=Q1=50 μm with N1=2 and L1=833nm. The far field of the observable and recorded pattern 8 is too far to be shown in FIG. 4.

LSA S1 is not required, but can be a regular array. And the result is that when MLA LL1 and LSA S1 are mutually parallel arrays of the same geometry, a particularly high contrast pattern can be obtained, where P1=Q1 applies. Moreover, if P1/Q1 counts as 2 or 3 or 4 or 3/2 or 4/3 or 5/2 or 5/4, or if Q1/P1 counts as 2 or 3 or 4 or 3/2 or 4 /3 or 5/2 or 5/4, a very high contrast pattern can be achieved. In fact, for p1P1=q1Q1 (with p1≧1 and q1≧1, p1 and q1 are designated integers), lighting patterns with increased complexity can be generated, especially lighting patterns with larger unit cells, and among them, The larger unit cell is repeated with a greater periodicity than in the case of P1=Q1.

MLA LL1 and/or LSA S1 may be a one-dimensional (ie, linear) array, but for many applications, MLA LL1 and/or LSA S1 are two-dimensional (ie, antenna) arrays.

Figures 5A and 5B show a lighting module (side view) including an actuator for changing the distance between MLA LL1 and LSA S1, which can constitute the mode selector 10 or be included in the mode selector 10, the actuator may include, for example, a piezoelectric element or a coil to complete the distance from the value D1 in the first mode (see FIG. 5A) to the value D2 in the second mode (see FIG. 5B) Change, and optionally, also Go back to D1, for example, repeatedly.

For example, in the first mode, the above equation can be satisfied, resulting in a high-contrast pattern, while in the second mode, the equation (D1 is replaced by D2) is not satisfied, that is, there is no Any integer N1 makes the equation applicable; therefore, the light emitted from the lighting module can have a lower contrast.

6A and 6B are diagrams showing an illumination model including an actuator for changing the rotation orientation of MLA LL1 to LSA S1 about a vertical axis (ie, about an axis perpendicular to the common emission plane from which the light source emits light) Group (top view). In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the microlens is represented by a large open circle symbol, and the light source is represented by a small black circle symbol.

This actuator may constitute the mode selector 10 or may be included in the mode selector 10. The actuator may include, for example, a piezoelectric element or coil to complete the rotation of MLA LL1 to LSA S1, so that when switching from the first mode to the second mode and from the second mode to the first mode, the The relative rotation orientation of MLA LL1 and LSA S1 is changed by the mode selector. As in all other embodiments, here the mode selector can also be operated to repeatedly, for example, periodically change between different modes, such as between the first mode and the second mode. , Which can also be configured with a third mode and other modes.

For example, in the first mode, MLA LL1 and LSA S1 may have a laterally parallel configuration (as shown in FIG. 6A), and in the second mode, MLA LL1 and LSA S1 may have laterally angled to each other Configuration (as shown in Figure 6B).

It is possible that in two modes (first mode and second mode), the above equation is satisfied. However, or the equation is satisfied in the first mode, but not in the second mode.

The configuration in the first mode (Figure 6A) can result in a high-contrast pattern, while in the second mode (Figure 6B), the emitted light can be more diffuse but less contrasted and/or can produce more complex patterns.

7A and 7B are each a detailed top view showing a lighting module including two light source arrays S1, S2, where the light sources are configured differently. In the light source array S1, the light sources (represented by small black circular symbols) are arranged periodically, which can be said to be two-dimensionally arranged periodically, and the light sources are located in a square grid. In the light source array S2, the light sources (represented by small open square symbols) are not arranged periodically (nor are they arranged regularly), but, for example, are arranged randomly, as shown. The light sources of the two arrays S1 and S2 are arranged so that they can illuminate the micro lens array (not shown, but similar to those in FIGS. 1 and 4).

In Figure 7A, the arrays are beside each other. However, in FIG. 7B, the arrays overlap each other, so that the light sources of the first array S1 and the light sources of the second array S2 are scattered or staggered. This can also be considered as an array of light sources superimposed on each other.

In both cases (Figures 7A and 7B), the mode selector 10 is operated so that in the first mode, the microlens array is illuminated only by LSA S1, and in the second mode, the microlens array is illuminated only by LSA S2, where it is also possible that in the second mode, the micro lens array is Both the lens arrays S1 and S2 are illuminated. Instead of only turning on and off the light source, the mode selector 10 may control the intensity of emitted light in a graded manner.

In the first mode and optionally also in the second mode, the equations described above can be satisfied.

The wavelength of the light emitted by the first array S1 may be the same as or different from the wavelength of the light emitted by the second array S2.

The emission plane of the first array S1 and the emission plane of the second array S2 may be the same or different.

8A and 8B are each a detailed top view of a lighting module including two light source arrays S1 and S2, in which the wavelength of the light emitted by the light source of LSA S1 and the wavelength of the light emitted by the light source of LSA S2 different.

The light sources of the two arrays S1 and S2 are configured so that they can illuminate the micro lens array (not shown, but similar to those in FIGS. 1 and 4). However, in the light source array S1, the light sources (represented by small black circular symbols) emit light at wavelengths that are not emitted by the light source array S2 (represented by open circular symbols).

In one of the arrays or in the two arrays S1, S2, the respective light sources are periodically arranged, so to speak, two-dimensionally arranged periodically. The light sources are located, for example, on a square grid , As shown in Figures 8A and 8B.

In Figure 8A, the arrays S1, S2 are located beside each other. However, in Figure 8B, the arrays overlap each other, so that the first array The light sources of the column S1 and the light sources of the second array S2 are scattered or staggered. This can also be considered as an array of light sources superimposed on each other.

In both cases (Figures 8A and 8B), the mode selector 10 is operated so that in the first mode, the microlens array is illuminated only by LSA S1, and in the second mode, the microlens array is illuminated only by LSA S2 is illuminated. It is also possible that in the second mode, the microlens array is illuminated by both the microlens arrays S1 and S2. Instead of only turning on and off the light source, the mode selector 10 may control the intensity of the emitted light in a level manner.

In the first mode and optionally also in the second mode, the equations described above can be satisfied.

The emission plane of the first array S1 and the emission plane of the second array S2 may be the same or different.

In the light source array S1, the light sources (as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B) can be arranged periodically, which can be said to be two-dimensionally arranged periodically, and the light sources are located in a square grid. In the light source array S2, the light sources can be arranged as in the array S1 (as shown in Figures 8A and 8B), but it can also be arranged such that one or two of the arrays S1 and S2 The light sources are arranged in different ways.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a lighting module with two light source arrays S1 and S2 and an optional additional optical component 3. The additional component may be, for example, a scallop array including a plurality of scallops 4.

The light from MLA L1 is redirected by the additional optical component 3.

The micro lens array MLA L1 is arranged in the lighting unit and the Between the additional optical components 3, and thus between the LSAs S1, S2 and the additional optical components 3.

FIG. 9 may be, for example, a side view of the lighting unit shown in detail in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 10 is a side view and a strong systematic diagram showing the device 200 for optically determining the distance. The device 200 can be used to determine the distance based on the optical distance correction (ranging) of the illuminated objects (such as 50a, 50b) in the scene and to evaluate the reflected light.

The device 200 includes a lighting module 20 and a light sensor 30. The lighting module 20 can be the lighting module described earlier in this document. The light sensor 30 is used to detect the light emitted from the lighting module and the light sensor 30. For light reflected by objects in the scene, the sensor 30 may be an image sensor. The device 200 may further include a controller 50 for controlling and/or reading out the sensor 30 and/or for controlling the lighting module 20, and/or the controller may be used to control the sensor 30 based on the Information determines the distance. The device 200 may optionally include an optical system 40, such as one or more lenses.

In the first mode of the operation module 20, the light system emitted from the lighting module 20 is marked with 5A, wherein, in FIG. 10, only one representative light is drawn; and in the operation module 20 In the second mode, the light emitted from the lighting module 20 is marked with 5B, and in FIG. 10, only one representative light is drawn.

In at least two different modes in which light with different light distributions are emitted, the operation explained above of the lighting module 20 can facilitate the coverage of a larger distance range determined by the device 200, and/or can facilitate the coverage Cover the wider tissue range of objects 50a, 50b.

Other implementations are within the scope of the patent application.

1‧‧‧Light source

2‧‧‧Micro lens

5‧‧‧Light

8‧‧‧Pattern

10‧‧‧Mode selector

LL1‧‧‧Micro lens array

Q1‧‧‧Pitch

D1‧‧‧Distance

P1‧‧‧Pitch

Claims (20)

A lighting module which can be operated in at least two different modes. The module includes: a microlens array including a plurality of transmissive or reflective microlenses. The microlenses are arranged at a lens pitch P Are arranged regularly; a lighting unit for illuminating the microlens array; and a mode selector for selecting which of the modes the module operates in; the lighting unit includes operable to emit a first wavelength L1 The first light source arrays each having apertures, wherein the apertures are located in a common emission plane, the common emission plane is located at a distance D away from the microlens array, wherein, in the first of the modes In these modes, P ² =2. L1. D/N and where N is an integer, and N

1, and wherein the mode selector includes an actuator for changing the relative spatial orientation of the micro lens array with respect to the lighting unit. Such as the module of claim 1, wherein the mode selector includes an actuator for changing the distance D. The module of claim 1, wherein the mode selector includes an actuator for changing the rotational orientation of the first light source array about an axis perpendicular to the common emission plane of the microlens array. Such as the module of claim 1, wherein the lighting unit includes a second light source array, which is operable to emit light, and each has an aperture, and wherein the mode selector includes a control unit for controlling The ratio of the light intensity emitted from the first light source array to the light intensity emitted from the second light source array. Such as the module of claim 4, wherein the control unit is operable to turn on the light sources of the first array and turn on the light sources of the second array in the first mode of the modes Is turned off, and in the second mode of the modes, the light sources of the second array are turned on. Such as the module of claim 4, wherein the light sources of the second array can be operated to emit light of a second wavelength L2, wherein the second wavelength L2 is different from the first wavelength L1. Such as the module of claim 4, wherein the light emitters of the first light source array are regularly arranged with a light source pitch Q1, where P=Q1, and wherein the microlenses are spaced along the light source The axis of the arrangement of P is aligned with the axis along which the light sources of the first array are arranged at a pitch Q1, and wherein the light emitters of the second light source array are irregularly Or at least one of the following is regularly arranged at a light source pitch Q2, where P≠Q2; is regularly arranged at a light source pitch Q2, where the microlenses are arranged along with a pitch P The axis to be arranged is aligned at an angle with respect to the axis along which the light sources of the second array are arranged at a pitch Q2. Such as the module of claim 4, wherein the second light source array is arranged beside the first light source array. Such as the module of claim 4, wherein the first and second light source arrays are light source arrays superimposed on each other. Such as the module of claim 1, wherein in each of the modes, the emitted light has a different light distribution, and wherein the light distribution in the second mode of the modes is greater than that in the modes The light distribution in the first mode is more diffuse. A device for optically determining a distance, the device comprising a lighting module as claimed in claim 1, and an image for detecting light reflected in a scene freely illuminated by light emitted from the lighting module Sensor. A method for illuminating a scene, the method comprising: illuminating the scene with light emitted from a lighting module operating in a first mode; and changing the operation of the lighting module from the first mode to a second mode Mode, so as to subsequently illuminate the scene with light emitted from the lighting module operating in the second mode; wherein, the lighting module includes: a plurality of transmissive lenses regularly arranged at a lens pitch P Or a reflective microlens microlens array; and a lighting unit for illuminating the microlens array, the lighting unit includes a first light source array each having an aperture; wherein, in the first mode, the apertures are located in a common emission In the plane, the common emission plane is located at a distance D from the microlens array; the light sources of the first light source array are operated to emit light of the first wavelength L1 and illuminate the microlens array; and For the lens pitch P, P ² =2 applies to the distance D and the wavelength L1. L1. D/N where N is an integer, and N

1. The method of claim 12, wherein the changing the operation of the lighting module from the first mode to the second mode includes changing the relative orientation of the micro lens array with respect to the lighting unit in space. The method of claim 12, wherein the lighting unit includes a second light source array each operable to emit light, and wherein, in the second mode, the light sources of the second light source array are operated to illuminate the micro Lens array. A lighting module is capable of operating in at least two different modes. The module includes: a microlens array including a plurality of transmissive or reflective microlenses regularly arranged at a lens pitch P; An illumination unit for illuminating the microlens array; and a mechanism for selecting which of the modes the module is operated in; the illumination unit includes a first wavelength L1 that is operable to emit light of the first wavelength L1 and each has an aperture A light source array, wherein the apertures are located in a common emission plane, and the common emission plane is located at a distance D from the microlens array, wherein, in the first mode of the modes, P ² = 2. L1. D/N and where N is an integer, and N

1. And wherein, the mechanism for selecting includes an actuator for changing the spatial relative orientation of the microlens array with respect to the lighting unit. A lighting module is capable of operating in at least two different modes. The module includes: a microlens array including a plurality of transmissive or reflective microlenses regularly arranged at a lens pitch P; An illumination unit for illuminating the microlens array; and a mechanism for selecting which of the modes the module is operated in; the illumination unit includes a unit operable to emit light of the first wavelength L1 and each having an aperture Or multiple light sources, wherein, for each of the one or more light sources, the optical path length of the light emitted from the individual light source from the individual aperture to the microlens array is equal to the same distance D, where , In the first mode of these modes, P ² =2. L1. D/N and where N is an integer, and N

1, and wherein the module includes at least one reflective element, and wherein the light emitted from each of the one or more light sources propagates from the individual aperture to the microlens array along the light path, The light is reflected by the at least one reflective element at least once along the light path. Such as the module of claim 16, in which, from the one or The light emitted by each of the plurality of light sources travels from the individual aperture to the microlens array along a light path, wherein at least a part of the light path runs through a material having a refractive index different from 1. Such as the module of claim 16, wherein the one or more light sources include a light source array. Such as the module of claim 16, wherein, in the first mode, each light source of the one or more light sources is configured to illuminate a respective subset of the plurality of microlenses, and each of the subsets The set includes a plurality of adjacent microlenses, so that light from each particular light source of the one or more light sources passes through those different microlenses of the microlenses in the individual subset, so as to generate an interference pattern. A lighting module is capable of operating in at least two different modes. The module includes: a microlens array including a plurality of transmissive or reflective microlenses regularly arranged at a lens pitch P; An illumination unit for illuminating the microlens array; and a mechanism for selecting which of the modes the module is operated in; the illumination unit includes a unit operable to emit light of the first wavelength L1 and each having an aperture Or multiple light sources, wherein, for each of the one or more light sources, the optical path length of the light emitted from the individual light source from the individual aperture to the microlens array is equal to the same distance D, where , In the first mode of these modes, P ² =2. L1. D/N and where N is an integer, and N

1. And wherein, the mechanism for selecting includes an actuator for changing the spatial relative orientation of the microlens array with respect to the lighting unit.

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